Loose leaf shift binder



oct. 9, 1934. W. E, HASK|N 1,976,666

LOOSE LEAF SHIFT BINDER Oct. 9, 1934.

WITNESSES W. E. HASKIN LOOSE LEAF SHIFT BINDER Filed Sept.

1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEY depending end flanges 25 andinwardly extending cam extensions 26 is positioned in a telescopingarrangement inside the cam plate 21 and its respective depending endilanges 23 and inwardly extending cam extensions 24. As illustrated inFigure 6, the cam plate 21 is provided with a diagonally positioned slot27 adjacent each end while l immediately beneath, the caml plate 22 ispro,-

vided at each end with diagonally positioned slots 28, slots 28extending at the opposite angle to slots 27. The respective camextensions 24 and 26 are each provided with slots 37 and Y38, said slotsagreeing with the respective slots 27 and 28. The diagonal slo-ts of therespective cam plates and cam extensions are positioned in alignmentwith the said longitudinal slots 8 and 9 in the kcarri extensions is tocause the respective camv 4platesto slide easily and freely back andforth during manipulation of the device. The cam extensions also serveto hold the cam plates rigidly in parallel planes at all times vso thatthe turning of leaves impaled on the respective prongs from sideY toside can be done smoothly. From Figure 6, it will also be noted that camplate 21 is provided with an L-shaped slot 29, and a notch 31 togetherwitha substantially T-shaped 'slot 30 the leg of which is substantiallyparallel with the diagonal slots 27. Cam plate 22 is likewise providedwith an L-sl'laped slot 32, a notch 33 and a substantialy T-shaped slot34 positioned substantially opposite slot 30, the leg ofthe T extendingin the opposite direction and substantialy parallel with the' diagonalslots 28. Rigidly mounted between the base 7 and the cover plate 13 is acam plate guiding pin 12 which projects through the respective T-shapedslots andzthis arrangement will permit the cam platesto move freely backand forth laterally as desired, but the longitudinal movement thereof toshift the various prongs 35 and 36 is only possible when the guiding pin12 is opposite the openings'or legs of the respective T- slots or inwhat may be termed the shift position; It will` be seen that the guidingpin l2 thus vacts to prevent end thrust of the cam plates in the closedand locked positions as shown in Figure 1, and at all other times exceptthe shift positions shown in Figures-2, 3 and 4. Y As illustratedparticularly in Figures 8 and 9, the respective cam plates 21 and 22 areprovided with turned-over edges 39 and 40 forming the pinching beads forpinching the connecting sections Lil (for instance Figure l1) oftherespective sets of prongs 35 and y'The said prongs are thus mountedin a straight line on the respective cam plates. They are preferablyarcuate in form, arranged to lierinparallel planes transversely of theback, and grouped in two opposing sets of equal number, the said setscooperating to receive and impaleleaves'the margins of which areuniformly perforated at regular intervals. The prongs of each respectiveset areipermanently spaced apart at regular intervals equal to amultiple of the distance between centers of any two consecutiveperforations in opposing set and arranged to be reciprocatedlongitudinally of their carrier in the spaces between the latter prongs.In their staggered arrangement and while in their normal or what may beltermed non-shift relationship as shown in Figure 1, or in their partlyopen position as shown in Figure 2, (as contrasted with their single anddouble shift positions as shown in Figures 3 and 4) each individualprong of one set is positioned in the space between the two immediatelyopposite consecutive prongs of the other set nearer one of the two thanthe other and at a point equal to one fourth the distance between them,the said distance being the equivalent of the distance between centersof any two consecutive perforations in the leaves. The respectiveindividual prong members of one set in conjunction with thecorresponding individual prong members of theother setform a series ofpairs of adjacent overlapping prongs cooperating to form a plurality ofarches on which leaves impaled thereon maybe turned from one set ofprongs to the other. The distance between the twoindividual prongmembers forming each of the said-arches,

while in their-non-shift relationship shown' in Figures 1 and 2,vestablisheswhat maybe termed of prongs, a series of everyfourthperforaton in coV the leaves impaled upon the set of prongs 35coinv cides and registers with the said set, and, as the said leaves areturned to the opposite set of prongs 36 a second series of every fourthperforation,

next adjacent; to the first mentioned series, coin- '-f' is increased toexactly twice that of the normal j or non-shift position, or theequivalent of twice the distance between centers of any two consecutiveperforations in the leaves whereby when the l leaves impaled upon theset of prongs 35 are turned to the opposite set 36 a third series ofevery fourth perforation ,in the leaves, next inporder to the last abovementioned, coincides and registers with the set of prongs 36. When therespective set of prongs are moved to the double shift position as shownin Figurel the said lateral spacing is increased to exactly three timesthat of normal, or the equivalent of three times the distance betweencenters' of the said perforations whereby a fourth progressive series'of the said fourth perforations coincides and registers A' with the setof prongs 36 whenthe said leaves are turned from prongs 35. `Referringto Figure 5,` it will be seen that in the fully opened position of therespective sets of prongs the .said lateral spacing between the twomembers of any of the j has.

said arches is exactly the same as that of normal.

By reason of section 41, the prongs are arranged in couples of two,butby reason of/the various apertures in the beads 39 and 40, theindividual prongs 35 and 36 are spaced an equal distance apart and areheld rigidly in place by reason of the pinching action of the beads 39and 40. Also, if desired, the respective coupling sections 41 of theprongs may be spot welded or otherwise rigidly held in place. In orderto properly and easily manipulate the cam plates longitudinally, a shift`lever 42 is provided. This lever is pivotally mounted on the coverplate 13 by a pin 43, which pin may be hollow and if desired may bepressed up as an integral projection from the cover plate. The lever 42is 'in eect triangular shaped constituting what may be termed a T-leverand carries pins 44 and 45 which extend through arc-shaped slots 46 and4'lin the cover plate 13 and through the L-shaped slots 29 and 32 of camplates 21 and 22.

The longitudinal movement of the respective parallel cam plates by theactuation of the lever 42 is simultaneous and in opposite directionsrelative to each other and of equal distance relative to the transversecenter line of the unit.

The U-shaped hand operated member 50 is formed with legs of unequallength swingably mounted or pivoted on the actuating pin 10, as

391 illustrated in Figure '7, and in the performance of its twofunctions in operating the device it constitutes what may be termed aswingable operating member. By reason of its connection with thereciprocating slide, through the actuating pin 10, it forms a part of asliding system and acts therein as the pusher or tractor of the saidreciprocating slide. The longer leg ofthe member 50 is provided with alongitudinal slot 49 terminating at one end in an enlargement 51. TheT-lever 42 also carries a pin 48 which loosely extends through the slot49, and by reason of this sliding connection the T-lever 42 and theswingable operating member 50 form a compound lever system whereby whenthe member 50, acting in this instance as a lever, is swung on its pivotit will actuate the T-lever accordingly. Concerning the enlargement 51in the slot 49, this is particularly provided in order that the head ofpin 48 in the assembly of parts may pass therethrough so that the headwill rest on top of the swingable operating member. In addition to thisfeature, this arrangement permits the swingable operating member tospring over the projection 52, in locking.

For the purpose of actuating the reciprocating slide to move therespective sets of prongs towards or away from each other transverselyof the back, the swingable operating member 50 is preferably designed tobe advanced or retracted with its longitudinal center line coincidingwith the longitudinal center line of the cover plate as shown in Figures2 and 5. The looped end is prevented from movement to the left of thesaid center line of the cover plate by reason of the pin 48 of theT-lever projecting throughslot 49 and which pin is prevented frommovement to the right of the said center line of the cover plate by thelever pins 44 and 45 reaching the limit of their movement in the slots46 and 47 in the cover plate. The looped end ofthe swingable'operatingmember is thus confined to movement only to the right of thelongitudinal center line of the cover plate, and the range of thislatter movement is controlled and limited by what may be termed theshift plate 53, Which may be integral with the said operating member orformed separate and secured thereto. Movement of the loopedend of theswingable operating member 50 to the right of the longitudinal centerline of the cover plate is for the purpose of actuating the T-lever tolock the parts in their closed Vposition as shown in Figure 1, or tomovethe prongsl to the shift positions as shown in Figures 3 and 4. Plate 53has an edge 54 positioned parallel tothe side edge of the swingableoperating member 5i),

and an inclined edge 54 adaptedto move in back of the pinV 55 carried bythe cover plate 13 when the parts are in their closed and locked'position as illustrated in Figure 1. The end surface 54' and pin 55assist the projection 52 and associated parts in locking the swingableoperating member and other parts against accidental movement. The widthof the shift plate is such that its edge 54 will freely pass the pin 55in the operation of opening the prongs as illustrated in Figure 5, andwill prevent movement of the looped end of the swingable operatingmember to the right except at the shift positions illustrated in Figures2, 3 and 4. The shift plate 53 is provided with. a notch 56 merging intoan offset notch 57' and acting as a'two-step guide when shifting the camplates. For instance, when it is desired to shift the cam plates, theparts are moved substantially to the position shown in Figure 2, andthen the swingable operating member 50 is swung Yover to the positionshown in Figure 3. This will actuate the T-lever to shift the cam platessuiciently to cause the prongs 35 and 36 to move one step in oppositedirections longitudinally of the back or a total combined distance equalto the distance between the centers of any two consecutive perforations58 and 59 in the leaves 60 and 61. If it should be desired to furthershift the prongs so as to shift the same two steps, the swingableoperating member 50 is pulled longitudinally fromY the position shown inFigure 3 and then swung further to the right until it assumes theposition shown in Figure 4 whereupon a double shift position has beensecured. After the leaves have been properly adjusted, the swingableoperating member 50 is swung back to the position shown in Figure 2 andthen pushed longitudinally until theY parts are in the position shown inFigure 1, after which the swingable operating memberis again swung tothe right to the locked po- T..

sition and the operation of shifting has been completed.

It is to be especially pointed out that the movement of the respectivecam plates and the'prongs mounted thereon is always simultaneous and inj.

opposite directions; that they are constantly tudinal positions againstaccidental movement of one camplate independently of the other; thatmaintained in their relative lateral and longithe longitudinal movementof the said cam plates can only occur at two i'lxed, partly openpositions at which time the points ofthe opposing sets of prongs arestill overlapped sufficiently to prevent accidental spilling of theleaves in turning the same from side to side and that the points of thej;

respective opposing sets of prongs are maintained rigidly inthe sameplane by reason of their support by the bearing afforded by the camextensions 24 and 26 to insure proper registration lofl the prong pointswith the perforation in `the leaves.

In the operation of the binder, the leaves are placed on the respectiveprongsV 35 starting from the bottom and are overlapped as shown inFigure 1 with the lower name-bearing margin exposed.

The leaves are preferably designed tobe of a size to include'multiplesof four and-a minimum of eight marginal perforations equally spaced andtherprongs arespaced on centers equaLto four times the distance betweencentersA of thesaid perforations so that each leaf will at all times beheld in place by at least two prongs in `the case of eight perforationsand three prongs in the case of twelve perforations.l The opposite setofprongs are equally spacedfand the two sets of prongs are oiset withrelationV to eachother exactly the distance between centersofthe saidperforations. Theleaves are preferably provided with a marginal space atthe lower righthand cornerof the face and the upper left-hand corner ofthe back thereof for the insertion of the name of the account or otherindex lofthe record therein contained. f 1; If, for example, the leavesbear the names of accounts arranged inV alphabetical order and it isdesired to enter a new account in its proper place,

all the leaves of the section or page are first turned by hand toregister on'the oppositesetof prongs 35, and the swingableoperating-member 50 is manuallyY actuatedto arrange the parts for asingle shift position as shown in Figure 3. All the ,leaves belowthepoint at which itis desired Vto, insert the new leaf are then swung backto prongs 35 and the swingableoperating member 50Ireturned to theposition as shown in Figure 2, whereby a space is provided for the-newaccount. The swingable operating member 50 isv then extended to the fullopen position shown in Figure 5 and the new leaf inserted on prongs 35in its proper place. Swingable operating member 59 is then restored toits locliedrposition as in Figure 1, and the operation is complete.

If it is desired toA remove aleaf and insert-a new one in its place, theleaves abovethe point of change are swung to prongs 36 \.vhile.the lea fto be removed and all those below-it remain on prongs 35. The swingableoperating memberA listhen actuated to the full open position, Figure 5,and

the changeeected. v-

If it is desired to removea single leaf and close in the gap, the leavesabove the removal point are swung to prongs'36, thebalance remaining onprongs 35, and theswingable operatinginember 50 is actuated to the fullopen position,A Figure 5, and the leaf removed.- The. swingable`operating member 50 is thenactuated to the single shift position,Figure 3, and the leaves remaining on prongs 35 are turned to prongs 36.The swingable operating member 50 is then restored to its normal closedposition, Figure 1.

If it is then desired to remove v4two adjacent leaves and close in thegap, the same procedure is followed except that the double shift asAshown inv Figure4 is used instead ofthe single shift.

While I have illustrated what I believeto loethe preferred embodimentofmy invention, itis obvious that changes may be made in thegeneral formand arrangementY of Athe parts without .departing from the spirit of theinvention; hence vI do not limit myself to the speciiic detailsr set;forth but consider myself at liberty to makesuch changes and alterationsas fairly fall within the-scopeof theclaims. Y'

IclairnyI p' v1. A loose leaf binder includingaback, a base platecarried by said back, a cover plate carried by said back, a pairk of cam`plates arranged between the baseplate and cover plate, va set of prongscarried by each .of saidcamplatessaid prongs extending transversely ofthe back, said having identical longitudinalrslots, adjacent each end, apair of v parallel cam plateseach plate having-agbent-.down end and acam extension,v one plate and-'itsextension telescoping within theVother plate and extension, said rcam plates ,and extensions beingprovided with identically formed inclined slots :with the slots in oneplate and extension. extending at the opposite angle to the slots in theother, a set of prongs carriedby each of said plates, actuating pinsextending through the slots in therespective cam plates and the saidbase and cover plates, a link connecting said actuating` pins, meansVfor moving said link so that said pins will cause the cams to move saidprongs in opposite directions transversely of said back, and swingablemeans vfor moving said cam plates in opposite directions longitudinallyof said back.

3. A loose leaf binder including a back, a base rigidly secured to saidback, a cover plate having depending end flanges attached to said base,a pair of prong-,carrying cam plates arranged between said base and saidcover plate, each of the said cam plates having a pair of inclinedslots, saidbase and saidcover plate having longitudinal slots,l therebeing a group of said slots at each end of-thebindenan actuating pinextending through each group of slots, a link connecting saidactuatingpins, and a hand operated member connected vto one of said actuatingpins for moving said actuating pins whereby rsaid cam platesand theprongs carried thereby may be moved transversely of said back.

4., A loos-e leaf shift binder including a pairof cam plates havingtransverse slots, each of said plates carrying a group rofleaf-receiving prongs, means formoving said groups of prongs towardandfrom each other, and means for shifting said groups-of prongslongitudinally, said latter means including Va lever, having pinsextending into said slots and means for swinging said leverfor-simultaneously moving said cam plates and said groups of prongs inopposite directions.

v5'. IA loose leaf binder including a back,V a pair of1camplates, ,eachcam plate having a curledover edge forminga clamping bead, a pluralityof sets of prongs each comprising a pair .of prong membersv andaconnecting section, said connectclamped by one of said beads whiletheprong members extend through the bead, whereby the sets ofprongswillmove as a unit with the cam plates, means for mounting said cam plateson said back, means for shifting the said plates by camaction'transvers'ely of .said back vfor: sepa-` rating saidl prongslaterally, Cand means for movingfthe said plates byleveraction forshifting the' said prongs longitudinally of said back.

; 6: A loose leaf shiftbinder including a pair of cam plates, each camplate having a group of prongs,. manually actuated slide meansoperatively connected with said plates for moving them simultaneously inopposite directions laterally and leverV means operatively connectedwith said plates for moving themv simultaneously vin opposite directionslongitudinally whereby the respective prongs are shiftedcorrespondingly.

7. A loose leaf shift binder including a back, aV

base plate mounted on said back, a cover plate mounted on said back, apair of cam plates arranged between said base and cover plates, each camplate having a transverse slot, a diagonal slot and a group of leafreceiving prongs, a manually actuated swingable operating memberprovided with a slot extending longitudinally thereof at one end, anactuating pin upon which said swingable loperating member is pivoted andwhich extends through said diagonally position-ed slots whereby whensaid swingable operating member is operated to move said actuating pinlongitudinally of the cam plates said cam plates will be movedtransversely of the back, a substantially T-shaped lever, a fixed pivotfor said lever secured to said cover plate, said pivot being mounted atthe junction of the arms of the lever and a substantially equal distancefrom the end of each transverse arm, means extending from the ends ofthe said transverse arms of the T-lever into said transverse slots and ashift pin extending through the Slot in said swingable operating member,said shift pin being fixed to the third arm of said T-lever whereby whensaid swingable operating member is swung on said actuating pin, saidT-lever will be swung on its pivot and thereby move said cam plateslongitudinally of the back for shifting said groups of prongs.

8. A loose leaf binder comprising two opposing' groups of co-operatingprongs adapted to receive the leaves, reciprocating means forcontrolling and moving said groups of prongs laterally to an open or aclosed position, said shifting of' the prongs acting to permit leaves tobe inserted or removed, and lever means for shifting and controlling therelative position of said groups of prongs longitudinally while they arein a `partly open position, said shifting of the prongs acting to permitleaves to be advanced or retracted along the binder.

9. A loose leaf shift binder comprising a rigid back, a pair of movableprong carriers mounted on said back, a plurality of prongs mounted onthe carriers and adapted to receive leaves, and lever means for shiftingsaid respective prong carriers simultaneously, and in opposite direc--tions longitudinally of Said back, whereby said leaves may be advancedor retracted along the binder.

l0. A loose leaf shift binder including a rigid back, two groups ofleaf-receiving prongs carried by the back, reciprocating mechanicalmeans for moving the said groups of prongs under constant control towardand from each other and transversely of the back, said movementpermitting leaves to be added, removed or replaced and lever shiftingmeans for moving said groups of prongs at a partly open position andunder constant control relatively longitudinally of the back, wherebygroups of said leaves may be turned from side to side to shift themlongitudinally of the back relative to other groups of leaves.

11. A loose leaf shift binder including a rigid back, a pair of parallelcam plates carried by said back, a group of arcuate prongs carried byeach plate, and a slide mechanism connected with said plates forsimultaneously shifting the said plates and the prongs thereonrelatively in opposite directions transversely of the back by positivecam action and an accurately controlled lever mechanism connected withsaid plates for simultaneously shifting the said plates and the prongsthereon relatively in opposite directions longitudinally of the back topositive intermediate and ultimate positions.

12. A loose leaf shift binder including a rigid back, a pair of camplates mounted on said back, said plates being movable transversely andlongitudinally relative to said back, each of said plates provided witha set of leaf-receiving arcuate prongs, a manually operated pivotedmember actuating ar sliding cam mechanism connested with saidvplates forshifting said plates transversely of the back, each of said plateshaving a transverse slot, a lever pivotally mounted centrally on a fixedpivot, means extending from the respective arms of the lever projectinginto said slots, said pivoted operating member having a longitudinallypositioned slot, a pin extending through said slot and into said leverwhereby when said operating member is swung on its pivot it willautomatically swing said lever for the longitudinal movement of said camplates and said prongs carried thereby.

13. A loose leaf shift binder including a pair of cam plates, each platehaving a group of leafreceiving prongs, a sliding system comprising aswingable operating member together with a reciprocating slide connectedwith the said plates forshifting them by cam action transversely, acompound lever system comprising the said swingable operating membertogether with a pivotally mounted T-lever connected with the said platesfor moving them longitudinally, a shift plate carried by the saidswingable operating member provided with a primary and secondary-notch,,said secondary notch being offset from the primary notch, anda fixedpost coacting with said shift plate and adapted to be received .in saidnotches according tothe amount of swinging of said operating memberwhereby the degree of longitudinal shifting of said prongs is governed.I 14. A loose leaf shift binder including two cam plates, each cam platecarrying a group of prongs, a manually actuated swingable operatingmember operatively connected with said cam plates for moving themlaterally, and alever structure formed with means operatively connectedwith the swingable operating member and the lcam plates for moving thelatter longitudinally, whereby the respective prongs are moved in likemanner.

15. A loose leaf shift binder including a back, two parallel prongcarriers mounted on the back, two opposing interspaced sets Vofidentical arcuate prongs lying in parallel planes transversely of theback mounted in a straight line on the respective carriers and adaptedto receive leaves perforated at regular intervals, the respective prongsof each of the said sets being spaced apart equally at a distance equalto a multiple of the space between centers of any two consecutiveperforations in the leaves, each individual prong of one set beingstaggered with respect to and positioned in the space between the twoimmediately opposite consecutive prongs of the other set nearer one ofthe two than the other, the said individual prong members of one setforming with the respective individual prong members of the opposite seta series of pairs of adjacent overlapping prongs co-operating to createa plurality of arches on which leaves impaled thereon may be turned fromone set of prongs to the other, the normal lateral spacing between thetwo members of each of the said arches being equal to the said distancebetween centers los of any two consecutive perforations in the leaves,

means for sliding the said carriers simultaneously whereby the saidlateral spacing between the two` members of each of the said arches maybe increased from that of the said normal by a progressive multiple ofthe distance between centers of any two consecutive perforations in theleaves.

16.4 A loose leaf shift binder including a back, a base rigidly securedto said back, a cover plate havingr dependinglend ilanges attached tosaid base, a pair of cam plates arranged between said base and saidcover plate, each cam plate having a group of leaf-receiving prongs, atransverse slot, a diagonal slot, a substantially T-shaped slot the legthereof being positioned substantially parallel to the said diagonalslot with the leg of one of the said T-slots extending'in the oppo'-site ldirection to the other, a manually actuated swingable operatingmember provided with a slot extending'longitudinally thereof at one end,an

actuating pin upon which said swingable operating member is pivoted andwhich extends through Vsaid diagonally positioned slots whereby whensaidswingable operating member is operated to move said actuating pinAlongitudinally of the cam plates said cam plates will be movedtransversely Vof the back, a fixed guiding pin mounted between the saidbaise and cover plates extending through said T-shaped slots whereby thesaid cam plates will be prevented from longitudinal movement while theyarevbeing moved trans'- versely, asubstantially T-shaped lever, a xedpivot vfor said lever secured to said cover'plate, said pivot beingmounted'at the junction of the arms of the T-lever and a substantiallyequal distance from the end of each transversearm, means extending fromthe ends of the said transverse arms of the T-lever into said transverseslots, and a shift pin extending through the slot in saidswingableoperating member, said shift pinr being fixed to the thirdvarm of saidT-lever whereby when said swingable operating member isswung on saidactuating-pin said T-lever will be` swung on its pivot and therebyactuate and control the movement of said cam plates longitudinally forshifting said groups of prongs, the said xed guiding pin acting topermit the saldlongitudinal movement vof the cam plates only when it isin positionA to idle in the longitudinal legs of the said T-shapedslots.

17. A loose leaf shift Ybinder including a base ing pin extendingthrough the said longitudinalr slots of the said base and cover platesand the diagonal slots of the said cam plates, a manually actuatedswingable operating memberprovided with a slot extending longitudinallythereof atV one end and pivotally mounted on the said actuating pinwhereby when the'said swingable operating member moves said actuatingpin longitu-Y dinally of the cam plates said cam plates will be movedtransversely to open and closed positions; a `fixed .guiding pin mountedbetween the said base and cover plates extending through said transverseslot whereby said cam plates are prevented from longitudinal movement, asubstantially Teshaped lever mounted ona fixed pivot secured to saidcover plate, said pivot being positioned at the junction of the arms ofthe lever, leverage pins extending from the ends of the transverse. armsof the lever into said L-shaped slots, and a shift pin extending-throughthe slot in said swingable operatingmember, said shift pin being xedto-.the third .arm'of said T-lever whereby when said swingable operatingmember is swung on said actuating pin when the cam plates are in closedpositions said T-lever'will be swung on its pivot and the said leveragepins will enter the longitudinal leg of the said L-shaped slotswhereby'the said cam plates and the prongs mounted thereon will belocked against acciden tal lateralmovement, the said xed guiding pincoacting to prevent longitudinal movement of the said cam plates. v

18. A loose leaf shift binder comprising ,a pair of prong carriers,prongs on each carrier, a manually actuated operating member,reciprocating means connected with said 'operating member for slidingthe respectivecarriers simultaneously in

